In honor of Classic Film & TV Cafe's DOGATHON which begins tomorrow, I'm concentrating today on the dog in art because DOGATHON (Rick's brilliant idea) will feature posts about films with dogs in prominent parts. So it all fits in nicely.

I'll be talking about the film, BABE, tomorrow - don't forget to tune in when you have a moment. The DOGATHON will run from the 19th until the 22nd.

The work of three artists is featured on today's post: Landseer, Stubbs and Dicksee.

Sir Edwin Henry Landseer (1802 - 1873) is known for his many dog paintings, but, according to Wikipedia, he is remembered best for the sculptures of the lions in Trafalgar Square, London. He also has a breed of dog named after him, the Landseer.

George Stubbs (1724 - 1806) was a 'sporting' artist best remembered today for his paintings of horses, but he also created some fine paintings of dogs. His work had only recently been re-discovered in recent years, having gone, I suppose, out of fashion. But I've always thought he was deserving of much greater credit.

Herbert Dicksee (1862 - 1942) was born into a well known family of artists. His first cousin was the famed painter, Frank Dicksee. Country Life Magazine wrote of Herbert Dicksee's art: It is certainlydebatable whether even Landseer, whose dogs were mostly painted in the somnolent and sentimental moments, would have excelled Mr. Dicksee's insight, which is as notable as his skill with an etcher's needle.

Yvette, Deb is right: we need paintings of Queen Victoria's dogs playing poker! :-) All kidding aside, what a marvelous kickoff to the Classic Film and TV Dogathon! We'd have dogs ourselves if our family wasn't allergic, but at least we can enjoy them vicariously through the beautiful, touching paintings you've displayed here for us!

Very lovely paintings. I have not seen many paintings of dogs in my life, so these are new to me.

They're also appropriate right after the national dog show. I was disappointed that a Pekinese won, given that I don't even concede they are dogs.

I was rooting for many, but in the last round for the wire-haired Dachshund. Cinders wagged her tail throughout the segment, whether being picked up or put down, walking, running, etc.

That's the Dachshund's personality. I'm partial; I'm the aunt of my neighbor's dog. She is always wagging her tail and happy to see me -- unless she's in a sound sleep, which happens more and more now. But when she awakens, she's happy.

I guess everyone has taste in dogs, not only in books, art, music, movies, etc.

I like most of them, but not dogs who don't even look like dogs. That's my two euros for the day.

I didn't realize that Stubbs had painted so many dogs. I was familiar with his wonderful horse paintings.

The Dicksee with the Irish Wolfhound caught my eye and melted my heart. We've lived with three Irish Wolfhounds (not all at once, although a friend has had up to eight!). They're wonderful, sweet, gentle dogs and traffic stoppers, too, but because of their size, not for everyone. Oddly, most of the people who stopped me here in Philadelphia with our last Wolfhound wanted to know if she was a poodle! Can you see that?

Kathy: I have to admit that I totally overlooked Westminster this year. What is wrong with me? I never forget to stay tuned. Oh well, I would have been unhappy with a 'peke' as the eventual winnter, myself. I mean, they're cute and all...BUT! Well, at least last year we had the Scottish Deerhound - one of my very favorite dogs - win the Best In Show.